Development of a Donkey Grimace Scale to Recognize Pain in Donkeys (Equus asinus) Post Castration

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to establish a donkey ethogram, followed by a donkey grimace scale to be applied to donkeys pre- and post-castration and to test if there was a notable difference in scores based on observer knowledge, gender, and experience, which could reveal possible discomfort/pain. Nine healthy male adult donkeys were surgically castrated. Fifty-four photos were selected from frontal, lateral, and body views taken pre- and post-castration. Observers ranging from minimal to extensive knowledge and levels of experience based on education and hours/month spent with donkeys scored six photos/donkey on a scale of 0–2 (0 = not present, 1 = moderately present, 2 = obviously present). Scores were based on body language and facial parameters: Ears down, ears back, eye white showing, glazed look, orbital tightening, eyes round shape, nostril tension, eyes narrow shape, muzzle tension, and abnormal stance and overall perception of the animal being in pain. Level of experience and knowledge, as well as gender significantly (p < 0.001), affected observers’ ability to accurately score images. The study suggests that the most significant indicators of pain in donkeys are overall appearance and abnormal body stance provided their sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values of 63.18%, 62.07%, and 62.60%, respectively.

Validation of the Donkey Pain Scale (DOPS) for Assessing Postoperative Pain in Donkeys

“…The ears' position was the most relevant behavior for evaluating acute pain in donkeys since it was the only behavior that presented good sensitivity and specificity. This behavior has also been associated with pain in donkeys in previous studies, especially if the ears are facing backward (1,3,4,15). The reaction to palpation of the wound was sensitive to diagnose pain, as observed in the orthopedic pain scale (6) and abdominal pain in horses (42), and is considered one of the most important behaviors in the assessment of visceral pain in equines (50).…”

“…The study was conducted at the University Veterinary Hospital. A total of 44 male donkeys of the breed Northeastern, approximate age 6.4 ± 3.1 (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) years, weighing 120 ± 13 kg (87-133 kg) were used. For inclusion, the animals were required to allow human approach and placement of a halter, be considered healthy after a complete clinical examination, and present normal laboratory examinations (blood count, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and total proteins).…”

“…Therefore, pain scales developed for horses cannot be extrapolated for donkeys. In view of this, an ethogram, using surgical castration as a standard pain model (2), and other instruments have been developed to assess pain in this species (3,4).…”

Cross-Sectional Questionnaire of Donkey Owners and Farriers Regarding Farriery Practices in the Faisalabad Region of Pakistan

“…Lameness in working donkeys is much higher than in these populations [1,8]. Moreover, lameness detection in donkeys is difficult because they are stoic in nature and tend to hide pain [39,40]. This further indicates the importance of developing a donkey-specific lameness evaluation system that could help owners in the early diagnosis and treatment of lameness in their donkeys.…”

Quantifying the Impact of Mounted Load Carrying on Equids: A Review

“…An equine ethogram has been used to assess pain-associated ridden behaviors in horses [ 90 ], which may be useful when used by trained assessors [ 91 ]. More recently, a grimace scale for pain has been developed for use in donkeys [ 92 ], although this has not yet been used in the field. No ethogram for use in working donkeys has yet been developed, although overall behavior is included in several existing welfare assessment frameworks [ 37 ].…”